With the trade deadline just a few hours away, the Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to acquire an ace pitcher.

The Diamondbacks may have discussed a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies involving Cliff Lee and Justin Upton, according to FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal. Felix Hernandez could also be on the D-Backs’ radar. It’s unclear whether either player is available, however. The Mariners front office has been adamant about keeping Hernandez, and Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick recently said there was a good chance Upton will remain with the team through the deadline. CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman checked with Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, who said he hasn’t changed his mind about trading Hernandez.

The Philadelphia Phillies willingness to trade Cliff Lee, and the Red Sox willingness to deal Josh Beckett shows how much each team wants to restructure their finances, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Sherman also notes that the New York Yankees are unlikely to make a big move. Read the rest of this entry »

With the season winding down and some players already starting to pack it in, I’ve decided to come up with an anti-All*Star team. This team is comprised of a player at each position, who has just absolutely sucked this year. They may not be the worst at their position, but they should be so much better. These players have all started more games at their position for their respective teams than any other member of their team. Because I compiled the team this way, So Taguchi didn’t quite make the cut. But I think I may bring him on as the bat boy. So let’s get to the team. I warn you, some of the stats you are about to see are pretty shocking. It is not for the faint of heart baseball fan.

On July 31st, the MLB non-waiver trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Manny Ramirez as part of a three way trade with the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. Ramirez has been on fire since joining his new squad and the Dodgers are just 1.5 games back of the Diamondbacks in the National League West standings. Today, Arizona struck back, adding power slugging outfielder Adam Dunn in exchange for Dallas Buck and two minor league players to be named later. The trade was first reported by Sports 620 KTAR’s John Gambadoro. Dunn, is tied with three others for the major league lead in home-runs with 32 and is expected to start in right field for the first place Diamondbacks. Prior to the deadline, there were rumblings that Dunn may be traded to the Red Sox or Rays, but neither came to fruition.